The Human Optimization Project

Hosted ByMayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project
The bar for human performance is higher than it’s ever been. As a result, we all feel the need to do MORE. At the same time, we are becoming increasingly aware of the value of sleep, rest, recovery, and wellness. Accordingly, we also feel the need to do LESS. If you’re like most people, it can be challenging to reconcile this conflict of feeling the need to do MORE and LESS simultaneously, and that is likely contributing to high rates of burnout and decreased performance. So how do we reconcile these seemingly competing desires? That is where Human Optimization comes in. Human Optimization is the process of achieving more (however you define that for yourself) while simultaneously improving your wellness and well-being. Although it’s not easy, it’s certainly possible. Not only is it possible, but it is becoming increasingly essential. In this Mayo Clinic Talks Mini-Series, we are going to dive into the topic of Human Optimization and will focus on a few key areas including: exercise, nutrition, culture, emotional intelligence, and finding joy in all you do.

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Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project 20: E20 Forming Habits for Success: Creating Productive Consistency in Everyday Life

9 de julio de 2025 casimedicos The Human Optimization Project 00:45:04 0 Comments

Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D., Creator & Guide | Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project

Guest: Griffin Jax, Professional Baseball Pitcher | Minnesota Twins Baseball Club

 

 

Most of what we are today (our happiness, position, relationships, health, etc.) has come about as a direct consequence of our habits. Good or bad, these habits largely determine who we are, what we do, and how successfully (or unsuccessfully) we navigate life. With habits being such a critical contributor to our lives, why do we struggle so much to consistently do the things we already know we need to do? To help us understand how to form healthy habits and make them a part of our default routine, our expert today is Griffin Jax, Major League Baseball pitcher and Air Force Academy Graduate.

 

The three big questions we are going to work through with Griffin include:

  1. What does it mean to “form a habit,” and why is it so crucial for productivity and personal growth?
  2. What are the main challenges people face when trying to develop good habits?
  3. What practical strategies can help us create and sustain beneficial habits for long-term productivity?

 

How to start a Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project “Pod-Club”:
Step 1: Find 2-30 friends who want to get better
Step 2: Choose your episodes (can be focused on specific themes or random)
Step 3: Listen to/watch the episodes
Step 4: Meet with your group to work through the provided discussion questions in the PDF for each episode, and feel free to add your own!
Step 5: Celebrate the fact that you are turning passive knowledge into action!

 

Discussion Questions for this Episode:

  1. Griffin Jax defines a habit as «something that we fall back on» in stressful situations, shaping our identity. Think about your own habits. What role do they play in defining who you are, both positively and negatively? 
  2. Habits eliminate recurring decisions, freeing up mental bandwidth. Think about an area in your life where you feel decision fatigue. How can you create a relevant habit to reduce that mental load? 
  3. Griffin discusses the «plateau of latent potential» and the challenge of delayed gratification. How do you typically react when you’re not seeing immediate results from a new habit? What strategies could help you push through that plateau? 
  4. Accountability, whether through an app, a workout buddy, or simply telling someone (like your pod club!) your goals, helps us succeed. What form of accountability has been most effective for you in the past? How might you use it to create a new habit? 
  5. Griffin finds satisfaction in consistently checking off daily tasks that contribute to his larger goals. How do you celebrate small wins or find joy in the process of building habits, rather than waiting for the ultimate outcome? 
  6. The concept of «habit stacking» (tying a new habit to an existing one) and using triggers is discussed. What’s one existing habit you have that could serve as a trigger for a new, beneficial habit you want to incorporate into your daily routine? 
  1. Griffin suggests that a perceived «lack of willpower» often stems from not clearly defining one’s identity, values, and purpose. How well have you articulated these for yourself, and how might clarifying them reduce the need for sheer willpower in pursuing new habits? 
  2. The podcast stresses that mistakes and relapses are inevitable. Griffin reflects on his slips in a journal to understand «why» he fell off track. How do you typically handle setbacks in your habit formation, and what’s one new approach you could try to learn from them without giving up? 

 

Learn more about the Human Optimization Project at: https://ce.mayo.edu/optimize
X: @MayoHumanOpProj
Instagram: @MayoHumanOpProj
YouTube:  The Human Optimization Project – YouTube
Email: optimize@mayo.edu

 

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